LABOUR veteran Tony Benn was hailed by political friends and foes
alike yesterday after his death at the age of 88.

The party's longest-serving MP died peacefully at his home in
London with his family at his bedside.

His four children announced his death in an emotional statement,
saying he had "sought to change the world for the better".

Labour leader Ed Miliband led the political tributes, praising the
Leftwing stalwart as a "champion of the powerless".

Benn, whose wife of 51 years, Caroline, died in 2000, was admitted
to hospital for treatment last month after feeling unwell but was
allowed to return home on March 4. His children Stephen, Hilary, Melissa
and Joshua said: "We will miss above all his love which has
sustained us throughout our lives.

"But we are comforted by the memory of his long, full and
inspiring life and so proud of his devotion to helping others as he
sought to change the world for the better."

Benn was also hailed by MPs from across the political divide.

Prime Minister David Cameron said he was a "magnificent
writer, speaker, diarist and campaigner".

Born Anthony Wedgwood Benn, Benn was elected to the Commons in
1950.

But in 1960, he was disqualified from serving as an MP when he
inherited his father's title of Viscount Stansgate - as peers were
barred from sitting in the Commons.

Benn campaigned for - and won - a change in the law to allow him to
give up his title. He then returned to the Commons after winning
by-election the same year.

g a He went on to hold several Cabinet posts, including industry
secretary and energy secretary, under Harold Wilson and Jim Callaghan.

ed He stood unsuccessfully for the Labour leadership in 1976 and
1988.

eid nd en When he finally quit the Commons in 2001, he famously
said it was because he wanted to "spend more time on
politics". He then became president of the Stop The War Coalition.

Despite serving as an RAF pilot in World War II, he was a frequent
opponent of military action, speaking out against the Falklands war and
the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan.

First Minister Alex Salmond said yesterday: "His comment that
he left Parliament in 2001 to spend more time in politics is one of the
great political quotes of this period and all the more relevant since it
coincided with his campaigning against the wars.

"I found Tony Benn supportive and helpful, regardless of
political differences and it was on his unfailing courtesy to opponents
that much of his cross-party respect was founded."

Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont said: "This is a sad day
Lamon but we can all celebrate an amazing life at the heart of British
politics and public life."

Miliband said: "He will be remembered as a champion of the
powerless, a great parliamentarian and a conviction politician.

"Tony Benn spoke his mind and spoke up for his values."

Miliband spoke of doing work experience with Benn as a 16-yearold
and described him as "an incredibly kind man", adding: "I
may have been just a teenager but he treated me as an equal. It was the
nature of the man and the principle of his politics.

"I saw him for the last time a couple of weeks ago in
hospital.

"He may have been ailing in body but was as sharp as ever in
mind. As I left he said, 'Let's have a proper talk when you
have more time.'" Cameron said: "There was never a dull
moment listening to him, even when you disagreed with everything he
said."

Former Tory PM John Major called Benn "a true political
warrior" while Tony Blair said he was a "genuine radical for
all his life".

He added: "He was a fearless campaigner and a legendary figure
for the Labour movement. Even when I disagreed with him, I always had
enormous respect for his brilliance and commitment to the people of
Britain and the world."

Mike Kirby, the Scottish Secretary of public sector union UNISON,
said: "We have lost a true friend. An abiding memory for many of us
will be his speech at the STUC's People First March in October
2011.

"After marching through Glasgow in the worst rain imaginable,
he gave a marvellous spirit-lifting address."

Labour MP Diane Abbott recalled Benn's softer side, speaking
of his emotional response to son Hilary's maiden speech as an MP.
She said: "Tony came into the chamber, he sat a few rows in front
of Hilary and his eyes were streaming with tears."

Former MSP Tommy Sheridan revealed Benn had sent him a book with
the inscription: "Thinking of you and Gail. In Unity" when he
was jailed for perjury.

He added: "He once advised me not to be personal when
criticising opponents. If you dance with the chimney sweeps, you will
only end up getting dirty, he said.

"He was able to rise above personalities and tackle the real
issues. Total Respect. Love and Solidarity, Comrade. RIP Tony
Benn."

CAPTION(S):

MARCH Benn in Glasgow in 2011

SOLIDARITYBENN marches with shipyard workers during the Upper Clyde
Shipbuilders 1971, led by Jimmy Reid, to Benn's left